What Matters Most: Californians' Priorities for Healthcare Coverage:

Executive Summary

Full Report

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Age 50 is when many people get a colon exam, a procedure that works well in finding cancer early.

When 1,019 Californians were asked how important this situation is for insurance coverage, 97% say it should be covered. But only 26% believe a health club membership also should be covered. Both situations focus on prevention. Why do people view them differently?

CHCD just released the What Matters Most project results. They address a key aspect of healthcare reform: at a time of rising healthcare costs, what medical situations are most important for coverage? We encourage healthcare leaders - in California and nationally - to consider the priorities of the public in crafting a fair and sustainable healthcare system.

CHCD is grateful for the help provided by an advisory committee and research consultants:

• Tony Barrueta, Liaison Gov’t Affairs, Kaiser Permanente Health Plan
• Hattie Hanley, MPP,  Health Policy Advisor, Calif. Dept. of Managed Health Care
• Nettie Hoge, office of the Lt. Governor
• ST Mayer, Health Policy and Planning, San Mateo County Dept of Health
• Kamal Muilenberg, MBA, Business Healthcare Connection, San Diego
• David J. Ormerod, M.D., Medical Management / Operations, Blue Shield of Calif.
• Brenda Premo, Director, Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions
• Maureen McKennan Strumpfer, Staff Counsel, Calif. Dept. of Managed Health Care
• Ellen Wu, Executive Director, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network

Research consultants

• Rich Kravitz, MD; Daniel Tancredi, PhD; Nicole Bloser, UC Davis Center for Health Policy and Research
• Jack Fowler, PhD, Center for Survey Research, University of Massachusetts
• Linda Bergthold, PhD, Health Policy Consultant
• Marthe Gold, MD, Department of Community Health and Social Medicine, CUNY